★★★★★
There are a few ways you can spend your time when locked inside during a freak two-week blizzard. Binge watch series on Netflix. Finally clean out your fridge. Build an awesome pillow fort.
Or you could do what Beirut’s main man Zach Condon did and create an album overflowing with beauty and a sound instantly familiar yet stronger than ever before. From the snows of New York’s coldest winters comes Beirut’s fourth album No No No.
Despite a short recording time, Beirut have managed to build upon the work of 2011’s The Rip Tide, which saw the band move away from the European signatures of Gulag Orkestar and The Flying Club Cup, favouring a more cohesive overall sound. No No No continues this transformation, taking on a very New York style.
The marching beat and pop of opener ‘Gibraltar’ and single ‘No No No’ set the pace of the album. Condon’s vocals are uplifting and swoon-worthy throughout, particularly on ‘At Once’ and ‘So Allowed’. Every song possesses heartfelt musical composition and honest lyrics, as though this album was something the band needed to get off its chest.
While the album is a little short (only nine songs), it packs more of a punch than any before it.
Beirut’sNo No Nois available now through 4AD/Remote Control.
